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Thread: Happy Christmas

  1. #1
    beachboy's Avatar
    beachboy is offline Senior Member
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    Default Happy Christmas

    I know that in the USA we say Merry Christmas. I wish to know if in other English-speaking countries it's common to say Happy Christmas. HAPPY XMAS is a song by John Lennon, and, at the beginning of the song, John and Yoko whisper to each other: - HAPPY CHRISTMAS, YOKO.
    - HAPPY CHRISTMAS, JOHN....
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  2. #2
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    Default Re: Happy Christmas

    In BrE we use both 'merry' and 'happy'.
    Context is important. Please provide enough for us to be able to deal effectively with your question.
    Your thread title should include all or part of the word/phrase being discussed.
    If you just want to know the meaning of a word, try OneLook Dictionary Search first.


  3. #3
    ibtissem46000 is offline Newbie
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    Default Re: Happy Christmas

    SO HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYBODYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY



    :-


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    Default Re: Happy Christmas

    We say either in AusE. "Merry" is more traditional, but "Happy" is becoming more popular. It hardly matters - they mean the same in this context.

  5. #5
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    Default Re: Happy Christmas

    I've read that Americans would frown at me if I said Happy Christmas...
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  6. #6
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    Default Re: Happy Christmas

    Quote Originally Posted by beachboy View Post
    I've read that Americans would frown at me if I said Happy Christmas...

    NOT A TEACHER


    (1) Because the composition of the population of the United States of America is

    fast changing, some people would "frown" if you even used the word

    "Christmas."

    (2) You probably know that one part of our Congress is called the House of Representatives. Well, the 435 members of that body have just been told that they
    may not say "Merry Christmas" in the newsletters that they send to the people whom they represent. (But the Senate may!)

    (3) Many people now simply say "Happy Holidays" so that they do not offend people

    of other religions -- or of no religion.
    Last edited by TheParser; 22-Dec-2011 at 13:31.
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    Default Re: Happy Christmas

    Not everyone in the US is on board with the "war on Christmas."

  8. #8
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    Default Re: Happy Christmas

    NOT A TEACHER


    I was wrong! wrong! wrong!

    The official White House holiday card does NOT mention the word

    Christmas.
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  9. #9
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    Default Re: Happy Christmas

    Happy Holidays to everybody!
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  10. #10
    Tdol is online now Editor, UsingEnglish.com
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    Default Re: Happy Christmas

    I thought the reason behind Merry Christmas was to avoid repetition when followed by and a Happy New Year.

    And, as I will be offline for the next couple of days, can I wish you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Christmas, Happy Holidays, Compliments of the Season, etc.
    ~Mav~, TheParser, ostap77 and 2 others like this.

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